2026 Annual Conference Friday Agenda

Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Conference Home

The exhibit hall will be open from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
 
 Friday, July 31st
6:15AM Yoga
7:45AM Registration | Breakfast | Visit Exhibitors
8:45AM

Welcome | Opening Plenary Session 

Flash Mentoring by MentorVet supported by Chewy
Mariel Hendricks, MVEd, RVTg, FVTE, MentorVet 

Journey for Teams 3.0 
Latonia Craig, EdD, MEd, MA, Chief of Veterinary Engagement and Belonging
American Veterinary Medical Association

10:15AM  Break | Visit Exhibitors
10:30AM - Breakout Sessions
Room 1

Building Bridges: Mastering Communication in Veterinary Practice
Mary Schwartz, CVT, PetDesk

Room 2

 

Credentialed to Win: Vet Tech Jeopardy!
Channing Benson, American Association of Veterinary State Boards
Mary Berg, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), FVTE, Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education, St. Petersburg College, and Colby Community College

Room 3

The Impact of Imposter Syndrome on Educators and Learners in Higher Education
Amberly Lovitt, DVM, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash

11:30AM Lunch | Visit Exhibitors
1:00PM - Breakout Sessions 
Room 1

Watching with Purpose: How AI Can Help Assess Student Skill Videos
Leigha Wright, RVT, BS, MBA, Appalachian State University
Mary Beth McKee, BS, MS, Appalachian State University 

Room 2

Are Your Tests Measuring What You Think They Are?  
Courtney Ziegler, MSc (APVN), RVT, cAVN, CERP, Equitec Consulting

Room 3
Professionalism Is a Clinical Skill: Building Integrity Accountability

Ramona Crain, RVT, Apex College of Veterinary Technology; Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), CCFP, Mission Veterinary Partners

2:00PM Break | Visit Exhibitors
2:15PM - Speed Lectures (Round Tables)

Room 1

(90 minutes)

Instead of another presentation, let's have a conversation! Part un-conference and part structured networking. Several different discussion groups, each with a topic and moderator. Speakers and Topics

3:45 PM Transition | Break | Visit Exhibitors
4:00PM - Breakout Sessions 
Room 1 Accreditation Without Agony  
Julie Horvath; Rachel A. Valentine, RVT, MPH; Elizabeth Thompson, DVM, EdD; Dr. Kristie Coley; Lynn Reece, RVT

American Veterinary Medical Association

Room 2

From Graduate to Charge Tech: Integrating Leadership Development into Veterinary Technician Education
Sabrina Beck, CVT, LVT, RVT, CVBL, FFCP, HABC, CCFP, CVFP, United Veterinary Care 

Room 3

Self-Graded Assignments Promote Metacognition and Build Self-Efficacy
Stacey Benton DVM, FVTE, UC Blue Ash Veterinary Technology

6:30 PM

Dine Around Locations
Look for the sign up sheets at the reg desk if you would like to join a group headed to one of these fine local eateries.



*Agenda Subject to Change

Please note:
All times listed are local PST.